Oregon State Senator Kim Thatcher has proposed Senate Bill 1548, which advocates for adopting Pacific Standard Time throughout the year, eliminating the need for switching between standard time and daylight saving time. The bill has garnered bipartisan support and aims to provide stability for Oregon residents.
Oregon State Senator Introduces Bill to Adopt Pacific Standard Time Year-Round
( Credit to: Statesmanjournal )
Oregon State Senator Kim Thatcher has introduced Senate Bill 1548, proposing the adoption of Pacific Standard Time throughout the year. This bill aims to eliminate the need for switching between standard time and daylight saving time, providing stability for Oregon residents.
Thatcher's bill has gained bipartisan support and is seen as a better alternative to the stalled daylight saving bill in Congress. Unlike the previous bill, which requires approval from Congress, moving to Pacific Standard Time can be implemented at the state level.
By adopting Pacific Standard Time year-round, Oregon would join other states such as Washington, Idaho, and California in making this time zone permanent. The momentum has shifted towards adopting standard time, as people are tired of the constant switching.
Benefits of Permanent Standard Time
Supporters of the bill testified in an informational meeting held by the Veterans, Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs committee. Students and professors from Portland State University, who volunteer with the nonprofit organization Northwest Noggin, voiced their support.
Graduate student Marc Chenard highlighted the positive impact that permanent standard time would have on the health and well-being of Oregonian students. Chenard's research on neuroscience led to the implementation of a later start time at Vancouver Public Schools.
Molecular biologist Kindra Crick urged lawmakers to consider the lessons from history. In 1974, President Richard Nixon enacted permanent daylight saving time across the country in response to the oil crisis. However, this decision proved to be unpopular, with school officials in Florida attributing the deaths of six children to having to go to school in darkness.
Permanent standard time aligns exposure to light with natural circadian rhythms, allowing people to wake up more days of the year in sunlight. This has positive implications for overall sleep quality and well-being.
The Future of Oregon's Time Zone
Thatcher's bill provides a potential solution to the ongoing debate surrounding daylight saving time. By adopting Pacific Standard Time for the entire year, Oregon could eliminate the need for switching and provide stability for its residents.
The bill now awaits further discussion and potential action by the Oregon Legislature. If successful, Oregon would join other states in making Pacific Standard Time permanent, ushering in a new era of timekeeping for the region.